A pushback against a comeback
By Steve Benen Thursday Jan 24, 2008 6:20pmU.S. News noted a couple of weeks ago that the White House is eyeing a Bush comeback. The president’s team believes 2008 has the potential to be a “legacy year,” and the loyal Bushies “are predicting a remarkable poll shift to about 45 percent favorable by the time he leaves office next year.”
If recent economic and Iraq news are any indication, that seems highly unlikely, but in either case, before Republicans get their hopes up, it’s worth keeping in mind that Bush’s “comeback” will be facing some “pushback.”
A liberal advocacy group plans to spend $8.5 million in a drive to make sure President Bush’s public approval doesn’t improve as his days in the White House come to an end.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking, because at first, I was thinking it, too: this seems like an unnecessary investment of $8.5 million. Bush is already extraordinarily unpopular, is widely seen as abject failure, and has no realistic chance of seeing a political recovery this year. A coordinated campaign to keep his approval ratings down is overkill.
But there’s a flip-side.
Login or Register to post comments.
First!
Their plan involves getting Bush on American Idol (complete w/ hidden mike), Dancing with the Stars, driving in a NASCAR race and doing a 'Bud' commercial.
Can you say "faith-based initiative?"
After the last seven years of magical thinking, delusion and denial, we are surprised by this ?
I think the push back is a great idea. As this last year winds down, some will be tempted to say "Cut the poor idiot some slack. He's almost out of office." I say no slack, no forgiveness.
we need to know the dem candidates position on pursuing prosecution of the bush administration before we give any of them support. will hillary want to 'move on' like bill did for bush 1? by the way, i didn't hear a peep out of bill clinton during the current bush's crime spree, but he's real quick to criticize obama.
Can you say "Bushback Molehill"?
No slack for War Criminals.
Thats why W is pushing for this stupid tax refund.. Look good to the mericans.. and pump up Wal Marts bottom line.. Win Win for little Georgie
4000 dead soldiers. 20,000 + wounded soldiers, many maimed for life. Two wars, nether with any real end in sight. Trillions in debt. A reputation for a nation that will be soiled and tarnished for generations. The rape of the Constitution. Governance by corporate boards and lobbyists. Secret prisons. Torture. Renditions. Katrina. And the list goes on.
I got your legacy right here, big guy.
His poll numbers will go up Bush & Cheney & Abrams & KindaSleazy and the whole CRIMINAL BUSH ADMINISTRATION FROG-MARCHED INTO PRISON BUSSES.
Otherwise .. naa .. no way ..
His poll numbers will go up when Bush & Cheney & Abrams & KindaSleazy and the whole CRIMINAL BUSH ADMINISTRATION IS FROG-MARCHED INTO PRISON BUSSES.
Otherwise .. naa .. no way ..
(there .. all better now ..)
Are you shitting me?????????
This entire country....hell, this entire planet....is suffering from an extreme case of Chimpy fatigue. I have never been more ready to see a person go away. To think this skidmark is going to enjoy some sort of farewell tour is beyond ridiculous.
This is slightly OT to begin with, but bear with me.
I just got done reading a lengthy thread over at my ISP's forums about what the tax rebates mean for you. The thread started going off on Michigan, then it quickly deteriorated to hatred for immigrants, welfare moms, and people mooching off the economy. It wasn't one poster. There were hundreds of them... and this is across most of the country.
I really am at a loss for what happened to human decency from when I was a kid. I look and all I see is people pointing fingers instead of sitting down to solve problems. And most of what they're pointing fingers at don't even exist - at least the way things are depicted. Is our country so fractured, so broken, and so humanitarian-less that this is what we are? If it is, there really is no reason for me to keep hope up reading this blog, because we are the minority and continue to get buried further and further away from where this country's headed.
With all that said, I think the more people get divided, the more chance Bush has of coming out of all this smelling better. I don't see 45%, I barely see upper 30s for him, tops.
The absolute shame of it all is that we're going to be trying to change a country where it just seems that those with the loudest voices and largest budgets have 60-70% disapproval over something or other, and that disapproval is over the course of the common good. That, and there's more hatred than ever.
What ever happened to America that my grandpa came over from Europe for?
I suspect history will not judge Dumbya kindly.
Russo @ 14:
Sold to the Highest bidder, and the Military Industrial Complex
careful of what you say. or like that poor American man accused of being a
Russian spy and imprisoned for years and nearly deported to russia even though
he was born in America and had a birth certificate from where he was born,
this bush/cheney criminal administration will violate the US Constitution just
to hide all their crimes......and you could be next to be imprisoned for any
false reason they want. remember, bush can declare anyone an
enemy combatant.
Jack Cafferty just quoted Peggy Noonan to attack the Clintons:
http://caffertyfile.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/25/bill-clinton-political-atta...
I guess the corporate media got mad when the President bashed them.
I think 8 mil is a little steep for something Dubya can fuck up for free.
A comeback.....wtf have they been smoking? King george has run your country into the ground and is trying to take as many of us outside the US with him.
I'd put the $8 mil into USA Today ads calling for chimpy's and the dick's impeachments and prosecutions as war criminals.
Americans United for Change are going to have to go against Ari Fliescher's (R-Criminal Liar) thug group, which has very, very deep pockets. They'll be re-writing history as it happens! If they do succeed and raise chimpy's favorables then I suppose we truly are living in Dumbamerica.
Eight and a half million to keep Bush's approval low. Hmmmm... Is any of this retroactive? 'Cause I'm thinkin' maybe I should have some cash coming my way... a free sundae?... What?
It's a total waste of money. Everyone's mind is made up and not to change anytime soon. Give the money to charity where it would do some good.
I saw a great bumper sticker this afternoon: "George W. Bush. 43rd-best President"
He should do a Tom Cruise video. Just stare unblinkingly into the camera and start ranting.
I mean, this is his last SOTU...gotta go out with something big!
A comback?
The only time he was popular was after 9/11. And that was because people stupidly looked to him for leadership, which he pretended to deliver by standing on a rock pile and vowing vengeance (knowing that people are easily led when they are in shock).
Does he plan on blowing something up?
I wish they would spend the 8.5 million trashing Bill clinton. The prospect of having him in the White House again is sickening.
The phrase "lipstick on a frog" seems appropriate here. What president in history ever hoped to achieve a 45% approval rating? It's sort of like a corporate C.E.O. hoping his company will lose less money this year than last...of course, that would be worth about $50 million in bonuses to most of them.
CalGeorge @ 28:
The Cons did that before and it didn't work for them.
I'd put the 8 million into finding out who sent the Anthrax to the Democrats after 9/11 and who placed the put options on United and American Airlines stocks prior to 9/11. That should seal the deal.
memory hole troll @ 30:
Wasn't it more like 70 million?
I support the idea not as an electoral strategy but as a measure to preserve history. As soon as this presidency is over there will be SO much effort on the right invested into rewriting what was. They will do it not because they love Bush (they don't anymore) but because they were all involved and/or complacent.
Ron @ 32:
Could be. I couldn't find a figure fast enough. It was too far down the memory hole. It's dark down there too.
Well, I guess there's no harm in ensuring that they are unable to talk their way out of their mess.
theWalrus @ 22:
Came here to mention AUC. From AP http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hn-3whd3le0ScEW3eW45MmCqs7twD8UCCPMG0
I have already seen news articles touting Bush as "the" education president. With the No Child Left Behind act being held up as a good thing. Besides devolving children's education into ability to take tests and permit military recruiters direct access to kids (parents had to opt-out) that act has done nothing for education.
In dealing with Bush, overkill is impossible. Collateral damage perhaps, but not overkill. And in keeping what this guy did to our country front and center, I don't see any collateral damage.
The Bushies will just make up their own polls anyway.
"Say, GOoPer #1, whaddya think of Pappa Bush?"
"I thinks he's swell, GOoPer #2."
"That makes all of us! Welp, let's get her to the newzy papers: Pappa Bush has a hunnert percent appyroooval ratin'! Yeeehaw!'
Feh.
(still, I see how spending some money to try and see that they don't is worth it. I don't want to spend the next 40 years listening to conservative sheople braa-aa-aa-gging on some suspect poll that put The Poo Chucker at 55%)
Back in November 2000 my son asked me if I hope George Bush does a bad job as President?
I voted for Gore but I told my son that he was not the best choice but I hope he does well as President because if he performs well our country will do well.
What a dumbshit I am, although I was right.........the Chimp has been an absolute disaster and our nation has been harmed by his incompetence.
What a horrible lesson in Civics Chimpy has turned out to be. :-(
Fox is doing a little hagiography on Sunday - a documentary on Bush called Fighting to the Finish - in prep for the State of the Union.
The hagiography has begun.
For every dollar spent pointing out Bush's true deficiencies, Fox will spend five dollars making up stuff about how Bush is another Lincoln.
The endless parade of pimping hagiographers have sharpened their pens.
From 2009 on, we can expect an onslaught of books about the great G.W.B., as was done for Saint Ronnie.
It's going to be sickening.
David Hawes @ 24:
Good point, Hawes. The spots would have to be run nationally to have any effect, and $8.5 million isn't going to buy but a few dozen 60-second spots. It's further exacerbated by prime spots going for higher and higher premiums the closer we get to November. I suspect we'll hear the audio from this "advertising" as PSA filler on AAR affiliates. :)
Jo @ 1:
Hey! You took my name! What gives?
Don't forget about bankrupting the country ($50 trillion debt), borrowing trillions from China, threatening Iran, elimination of habaeus corpus and of course
WARRANTLESS WIRETAPS
QuakerDave @ 10:
You're a smart man, QuakerDave: No letup for the little prick. :-)
It's already started. It appears that this economic revitalization bill is boosh's first attempt at creating a legacy. He's already scolding the Senate not to dawdle or damage the bill so he can sign it.
But since 1/3 of the senate are running this year, they'll do it for that reason alone.
Additionally boosh has already announced he's leaving Iraq to his successor. Come what may, he'll claim America was winning before he exited.
Do not underestimate the power of the media machine and corporate megabux, combined with the cluelessness of the general public, to rehabilitate even GW Bush.
Yes, of course they can do it.
QuakerDave @ 10:
The truth of the matter is Bush couldn't have done it without a lot of bipartisan support at key junctures.
Capppy @ 5:
I think War Crimes trials for all involved is not only appropriate, but necessary.
Jo @ 42:
Jo Jo was a man, who thought he was a woman, but he was another man.
45% approval for George Dumbya Bush?????
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ysbaddaden @ 49:
:lol:
Girly man Reid growing a hairy pair? nawwww
he's just scared now because Dodd wants his job.
ysbaddaden @ 49:
Well, Jesus on a popsicle stick. Having two posters named Jo shouldn't be allowed.
Hey! Sight monitor! How did that happen? I thought we had to have different names. That post at # 1 is not me!
it's good to make sure he doesn't get up. bury the knife and twist a bit. this killer deserves it all.
It's amazing that for the Republicans, they feel that 45% is a *good* number for Bush's legacy year. Talk about some lowered expectations...
His much ballyhood economic stimulus thingy ain't gonna do shit for the average person. $300? That's a joke. Meanwhile, there is $70,000,000,000 (yes 70 BILLION) in that plan for businesses. It's the conservative nanny state.
2008...Bush comeback legacy year... yea right, keep dreamin there 'team'... George? Your legacy's already set in stone asshole! We're all soaking in it... Hope yer happy Shrub.....JD
This is silly. Instead of spending all that money to make sure people remember how bad bush is, why not spend it on trying to bring him and the lion's share of his administration to justice. You want to make him look bad, an $8 donation to impeachbush.com would probably do the trick.
Bush has a 34% approval rating according to AP. Whom did they call? It must have been every millionaire/billionaire in the phone book. I say that we do everything that we can to point out his lies. It is money well spent. We should burn his "legacy" and cast it to the wind.
Let me get this straight - these morons think 45% approval would represent a "comeback" and enable a "legacy year" for Bush in 2008?
Clinton was above 60% through his impeachment, for Chrissake.
Fuckwits, utter fuckwits.
Annoyed Canuck@59;
Agreed. I utterly agree with that assessment..............JD
Incompetent is incompetent.
The Stockdale Paradox: “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
The Conservative Corollary to the Stockdale Paradox: “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to ignore the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
Now, I know what some of you are thinking, because at first, I was thinking it, too: this seems like an unnecessary investment of $8.5 million. Bush is already extraordinarily unpopular, is widely seen as abject failure, and has no realistic chance of seeing a political recovery this year. A coordinated campaign to keep his approval ratings down is overkill.
Typical "Liberals". Anyone who thinks the above, I say: NO YOU STUPID MORON. Do you think the Republicans would let up? HEll NO! These people are fascists. They don't play fair and THEY DON'T CARE. If you EVER hope to defeat them, you must CRUSH THEM COMPLETELY. You must use overwhelming force and destroy them - otherwise they grow back like weeds. And if you think they won't do it to you - you've been asleep since 2000.
We have a saying in these parts you can polish a turd for eight hours straight and at the end of the day it's still a turd.
Repeat after me...
"THE BUSH RECESSION"
THE BUSH RECESSION
THE BUSH RECESSION
THE BUSH RECESSION
goatsage @ 2:
And don't forget some event where he can wear his favourite codpiece.
If his approval rating goes up, (yeah right!), it'll only be because people will be happy he's leaving!!!!!!!!
I agree. Bush needs a "legacy year" following the seven previous "lunacy years" that have been the hallmark of the Bush and Cheney mal-administrations. Unfortunately (for all of us and the rest of the world), instead of a "legacy year" Bush will finish his time in our nation's White House with another "lunacy year."
The economy in the tank, gas prices at an all time high, going hat in hand to borrow money from people who hate our guts, and a war with no end in sight.
Yup, that's some legacy, I hope to hear about it in the weeks and months ahead.
I say go after Bush and continue to point out his failures and fiascos, but at every opportunity tie the Congressional and Senate Republicans to their support for them, especially the ones up for re-election. Sing out loud and clear how much they continue to support their failed leader, in spite of their protestations to the contrary.
We are so stupid! What a country. I say we should eliminate the "middle man" and give the stimulus package shrub is pushing directly to Wall-Mart.
tweakerbell @ 63:
the French did it right they took to the guillitine and solved their problem , now i'm sure some innocents died but the filth was put away for a good long time
Lokk to the illuminati and the massive world banking system and your elitist rulers will come to light
these little pukes like most repo's are strickly bit players
Why are the White House toadies spending time trying to make this the legacy year? The legacy is already set in concrete... GWBush..he screwed up everything!!!
So what do you think would happen if I made a mini-catapult that launches eggs and set it up in front of the white house?
Login or Register to post comments.